England captain Joe Root has strongly defended the touring Pakistan team, dismissing accusations that the visitors have shown "no fight" ahead of the final Test.

After the series opener in Leeds, former England pacer Stuart Broad branded Pakistan a "poor side" and predicted a comfortable 3-0 series win for the home team. The English media amplified the narrative, with some analysts calling it the 'worst' touring Pakistan side in five decades.

Heading into the third Test at Edgbaston, England hold an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. Despite enforcing comprehensive victories -- winning by an innings and 103 runs at Headingley and by 194 runs at Lord's -- Root pushed back firmly against harsh narratives labeling the opposition.

During his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Root took issue with a question asking what it felt like to play a team offering zero resistance. He emphasized that such labels undermine the hard work of both squads.

"Absolutely we have found (Pakistan) a challenge. I think that's a bit disrespectful to both Pakistan as a team and to us as a team," Root told reporters.

"I don't think we've allowed them to get into games because of how well we've played as well and how quickly we've read the situations and the surfaces that we've had. I think it's very easy to say one team is excellent and one team is poor. Normally it's somewhere in the middle.

"If one team has been outstanding then the other team can't have been poor and vice-versa. I think it's important to live in that middle area somewhere and understand that that's not how it is,” he explained.

Root reiterated that Pakistan possess a very talented dressing room and England have to be ready for the challenge in Birmingham.

"Regardless of what's happened over the last two games, this week it's a completely different proposition for us. There's a very talented group of players in that dressing room and you've got to be ready for it, so we'll make sure that we are," he remarked.

While Root offered diplomatic support, the reality for the touring side has been incredibly turbulent. Following the series-conceding defeat at Lord's, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took drastic measures.

The PCB sent seven squad players home and sacked head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed alongside bowling coach Umar Gul.

The white-ball setup, led by Mike Hesson, has been brought in on short notice to take charge of the third and final Test. The revamped squad now includes a mix of domestic talent, calling up Saim Ayub, Abdullah Fazal, and five uncapped players.